Liturgy of the Word for Children is a program in which the Sunday Gospel is proclaimed and explained on a level appropriate to children in grades 1 - 4 at the 9:45 a.m. mass. Any child in this age group may participate - no registration is necessary. The children gather with their leader in front of the altar after the Opening Prayer. They are then sent forth by the presider in procession to the Sacristy or Meditation Room. After a brief welcome and opening prayer, they listen to the Gospel and a reflection on the Word is shared by their leader through stories, discussions or pictures - whatever the leader finds most appropriate to convey the meaning of the scriptures. The children are then invited to share their own thoughts and ideas. The children then end their Liturgy session with a prayer and return to their families at the time of the Presentation of the Gifts.